Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon now under the gun

October 17, 2008|By Chris Kuc, Tribune reporter

Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz and team President John McDonough have left very little untouched in their total makeover of the Blackhawks.

Holdovers from previous seasons throughout the organization -- from some of the hierarchy in United Center offices to the players on the ice -- have been purged as the duo seeks the right formula for success.

The decision to inform coach Denis Savard, a legendary figure within the organization, he was being dismissed just four games into the season fell to general manager Dale Tallon, who said Savard was "like a brother" to him.

"It's the toughest decision I've ever had to make," Tallon said. "Denis is a class act, a great guy and I love him dearly. It's about moving forward. It's about achieving and winning and developing a consistent approach and having a process and plan in place."

With the hiring of Joel Quenneville as Savard's replacement, some of the focus of the rest of the management team, consisting of Wirtz, McDonough and senior adviser Scotty Bowman, likely will shift to Tallon.

"I can handle it," Tallon said of the scrutiny. "That's what we're in this business for. As John has said, this is a big boys table, a big boys club. We're here to win. I'm going to give it my all."

The Hawks have made three coaching changes since Tallon was named the eighth general manager in team history June 21, 2005. Tallon's first act was to let coach Brian Sutter go. His replacement, Trent Yawney, was dumped Nov. 27, 2006.

"We have an obligation to Blackhawks fans, we have an obligation to the city of Chicago [and] we have an obligation to Rocky Wirtz to make sure we keep on building this," McDonough said. "Dale's obligation is to put together a winning team."

Tallon said coaches and players weren't the only ones being held accountable if the Hawks don't find success.

"I'm held accountable right now," Tallon said. "I'm accountable every day, and I'm accountable for this decision as well. We're going to move forward, and we're going to get the job done."